

The South Carolina State Museum collection is now available to search online! The collections featured in our online database include more than 35,000 objects, artworks and fossils from handmade quilts and vintage household items to paintings, pottery, sculptures, and much more.
This database is updated periodically and new content is being added all the time.
Please note: digitizing the museum's vast collection is an ongoing process. Certain areas such as the Science & Technology and Natural History Collections are still being photographed and updated so users may not see as many images available for those disciplines.
The online collections content and search design was made possible through funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America grant and funding from the South Carolina State Legislature.
Start Your Search
Basic or Simple Search
The main search box, or Simple Search, gives users the ability to execute broad searches based on specific terms, dates or object types, as well the option to quickly find results entering the title of an art work. To use this function:
Advanced Search
You may narrow your down your results even further by utilizing the Advanced Search options. Just click "Advanced Search" in the upper right corner of the search box. A few things to note:
Please note that in many cases the South Carolina State Museum owns only the physical object and does not assume responsibility for the associated intellectual property, including copyright, or any other legal rights involved in the publication and reproduction of materials from its collections.
Reproductions of object images in the museum’s collections may be licensed for scholarly, commercial, or personal uses. For more information, please contact Image Rights & Reproduction at digitalmedia@scmuseum.org.
Please note: We are constantly reviewing and updating our records. Information may be incomplete or outdated. If you notice a mistake, have additional information, or concerns please contact us at collections@scmuseum.org.
About IMLS: The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.